Gen Z is forgoing the institution of mariage
cnbc.comI had two siblings get married in recent times and their celebrations were under $15,000 in the NYC/Long Island area. I think people need to revisit their relationship with money and readjust themselves. Not everyone needs a ridiculous over-the-top celebration. If you are of humble means, there's nothing wrong with a humble life and a humble wedding for that matter.
Is there a source of average price per wedding over time, since say 1800? $12,000 still sounds over the top, even accounting for inflation.
The American average is actually ~$35,000 apparently. Though that comes from the wedding industry so they probably undercount small ceremonies and have some incentive to juice the numbers besides. I couldn't really find a good clean table that went back further than the 90s, but qualitatively it sounds like spending spiked in the 80s / early 90s and has mostly stayed with inflation since. Personally, even though I could comfortably afford it, the financial aspect of such an expensive affair would completely suck all the joy and life out of my wedding for me.
No one can afford it. It's not hard to understand. Outside of like 3 places in the US people are on the ropes. Yes it's evil and toxic. The only solution is to find the source of the inequality and destroy it, cremate whats left.
Are they forgoing living together, forming a financial partnership or just forgoing the ceremony? There's a huge difference between living solo and just not bothering getting a license (see Quebec). Although those lacking the paper might have some difficulties due to the definition of "spouse" that is in place wherever they're being called on it. HIPPA for example, or immigration.
There's a fundamental flaw in the article (and likely also in the underlying research) ; it assume that unless you're married, you're single. That's far from truth; roughly half of partnered couples aren't married at all.
> Gen Zers are young, currently ages 14 to 29, with plenty of time to figure out the rest of their lives.
14-year-okds are forgoing marriage? Not sure that's even noteworthy.